Taylor Farms has indefinitely suspended its seasonal sourcing of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico during the months associated with Cyclospora contamination, following a major cyclosporiasis outbreak that affected thousands of people across several U.S. states.
In a letter to consumers dated October 8, founder and CEO Bruce Taylor announced that the company would stop harvesting and processing lettuce intended for sale in the United States and Canada throughout the period identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the Cyclospora season. This runs from May 1 to August 31 and coincides with the rainy season in central Mexico, according to Taylor.
The decision follows a summer outbreak linked to Taco Bell and recalled shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms. The number of associated cyclosporiasis cases reached nearly 13,000, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA initially reported that a lettuce sample from Taylor Farms de Mexico had tested positive for contamination. However, after conducting additional tests for the parasite responsible for the diarrheal illness, the agency subsequently acknowledged that the initial finding was inaccurate.
Despite the correction, Taylor Farms remained at the centre of the FDA’s investigation into the outbreak. On October 2, the agency announced that it had concluded its investigation but could not establish sufficient evidence to determine how the contamination had occurred.
Nevertheless, the FDA noted that the Cyclospora parasite was present in the environment where the lettuce was cultivated and processed. Combined with what the agency described as strong epidemiological evidence and converging traceback findings, this supported the link between the outbreak and the recalled shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
Beyond its decision to suspend harvesting and processing in central Mexico for four months each year, Taylor Farms plans to strengthen its food safety controls across the region. The company intends to expand health monitoring throughout the year and increase testing of both irrigation water and crops.
Taylor also announced plans to lead and invest in research and technological development aimed at improving the tools available to detect Cyclospora and prevent contamination before produce reaches consumers.
The company will additionally participate in a public-private task force bringing together the FDA, scientists, industry representatives and public health officials. The initiative will focus, among other priorities, on identifying effective preventive measures for fresh-produce growers.
Explaining the personal significance of the decision, Bruce Taylor emphasised the company’s responsibility to consumers and their families.
“This is personal to me and my family,” Taylor said. He added that helping families put fresh food on their tables had been central to the company’s founding and would continue to guide its daily operations.
The measures announced by Taylor Farms mark a significant adjustment to its seasonal sourcing strategy in central Mexico, combining a temporary annual suspension of lettuce production for North American markets with expanded monitoring, testing and research intended to reduce the risk of future Cyclospora outbreaks.
